Part 18 (2/2)

I looked at my best friend, the one I had neglected for months, as she stood in our old dorm room with her hand poised on the doork.n.o.b, ready to ride off into the night to help me. The tears that had been threatening now finally spilled over and I dissolved into helpless sobs.

Sammie grabbed me again and I sank into her gratefully. My tears flooded the back of her bright purple sweats.h.i.+rt as she stroked my hair and murmured into my ear. ”Emmy, Emmy, Emmy,” she whispered, rocking me in a rhythm with her words. ”I'm so glad you're back Emmy. Everything is going to be all right.”

I took a breath. ”Okay,” I answered, hoping the lie would make me believe myself. Believe her.

”So where to?” she prompted, handing me a tissue.

I dabbed at my eyes and exhaled again. ”I need to go talk to a biker gang.”

Chapter 34.

Emmy My five minutes was up. Sammie bolted from her car and sprinted across the empty street. ”What the f.u.c.k is going on?” she hissed.

I bounced lightly on my toes as I watched Crash's limping form disappear into the dark. His heavy tread seemed even heavier than normal. ”He's sounding the alarm,” I whispered.

Sammie slipped her hand into mine, and together we waited at the fence line. Every moment that went by was one more moment J. was in jail. One more moment for Robert to get ahead of me, to out think and out maneuver me. One more way for him to win.

I squeezed Sammie's hand, trying to calm myself. ”Jesus!” she hissed.

”f.u.c.k. Too tight. Sorry,” I apologized. She rubbed her hand grimly and stared daggers as the darkened door of the clubhouse.

When a figure emerged in the doorway, I was surprised to see that it was Teach. He moved quickly down the walkway, dreads swinging in time with his steps. ”Emmy!” he called.

His face was illuminated in the light of Sammie's headlights and I gasped. A deep, purple chasm had been opened across his cheek. It was swollen so badly, his left eye was squinted almost shut. I saw several bald patches where his dreads had been pulled out. He unlocked the gate stiffly, holding his arms carefully by his sides.

”What happened?” I breathed.

”I could ask you the same thing, Emmy,” he intoned. ”Who's your friend?”

Sammie stepped forward belligerently, but I shot out my arm and blocked her path. ”This is Sammie.” I gulped. ”She's on me.”

Teach snapped his head to me in surprise, and then nodded slowly. ”Come inside, ladies.”

We both squinted in the sudden light of the store. I could hear the rest of the Sons milling about back in the clubhouse. The grumble of sleepy voices in worried conversation. Crash must have told them already.

But nothing happened until Teach gave the word. I knew that. So when he turned to face me from his perch behind the counter, I tried to ignore the ruin of his face and speak my piece.

But when I inhaled, the only thing that I could say was, ”Are you okay?”

”I'm fine,” he answered gruffly. ”It's the other guys you need to be worrying about.”

It started to dawn on me. ”The Storm Riders.”

He nodded slowly as Crash and Case emerged in the doorway. I could see Crash leaning heavily on his good leg, using the doorframe for support. Behind him loomed the huge ma.s.s of Case. His torso was bare and wrapped tightly in medical tape. He grimaced every time in breathed in. Several mottled bruises bloomed across his chest.

”How bad was it?” I breathed.

”Bad enough,” Teach answered tightly. ”But not as bad as having the police come sniffing around two days later.

”Looking for you,” Case rumbled, all traces of his earlier friendliness gone.

I cursed Robert under my breath. ”I know, and they found me.” I took a deep breath. Speak your truth. ”They got J. My ex is claiming he kidnapped me.”

They didn't reply, only exchanged confused looks.

”They got J.!” I repeated. Sammie placed a warning hand on my back, and I struggled to calm myself. ”We were up near New Hope. My ex tracked us down. The police arrested J.”

I heard Case suck in his teeth and I knew I was getting through to them. ”I know he was in prison. So does my ex. If he gets there before I do, he's going to file false charges. He has money. He has lawyers and cops on his side. The only thing that will save J. is if I get there first.”

”You're gonna stand for him?” Teach rumbled.

I was taken aback. ”Of course I am.”

”What're you gonna say?”

”That's it's not true. That we were there together. That it was mutual. That,” I gulped. ”That I love him.”

The old man slid out from his perch behind the counter. I was so focused on his face that I didn't feel his hand until he slid it into mine. ”You're his girl,” he nodded.

It wasn't a question but I answered anyway. ”I'm his girl.”

”Listen up!” he shouted. Case and Crash stepped into the store. I heard heavy footfalls, and then the battered forms of MacDougal and Doctor D. appeared.

”You're all here?” I marveled.

”Been on lockdown.” Case mumbled. ”Since the fight.”

”Since J. disappeared.” Mac grumbled, and everyone turned in surprise to hear his voice.

”Five minutes,” Teach announced. ”Get your gear and be ready.”

”Where're we ridin'?” Case asked.

Teach turned to me. ”Emmy'll lead the way.”

Chapter 35.

J.

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